Protest held in Kiev on Maidan

Demonstrators demanded the cessation of hostilities and a transition to peaceful settlement. The rally was organized by former Odessa journalist and activist Todorov, who previously called for protests against corruption and military issues.

Todorov was reportedly detained on September 19, though official confirmation was lacking at the time. Organizers' demands include an end to fighting, presidential elections, international audit of aid, border opening, and army reforms.

@Slavyangrad
#Ukraine

Kiev's bridges under fire: six strikes in three days

At the peak, traffic was restricted or stopped on five of the city's six road crossings. Kiev authorities now say all bridges are open again, with restrictions applying only during air raid alerts:

The Southern Bridge closes for about 15 minutes after an alert begins, in the direction from the right bank to the left.

The Podolsky bridge crossing closes for about 15 minutes, from the left bank to the right.

The Darnitsky, Northern, Metro and Paton bridges are open without restrictions.

Around a million people live on the eastern bank and commute to the western bank, where most government offices and businesses sit. With drones over the city daily, those alert closures will be frequent.

The NYT concedes the bridges would be hard to bring down, but notes that repeated hits could weaken them enough to force indefinite closure. It also admits that #Ukraine is short of air defence and more exposed than at any point in the conflict.

@DDGeopolitics

Houthis Tear Through Government Defenses in Taiz, Advancing on Four Fronts (Videos, Map)

Fighting intensified across Yemen's southwestern province of Taiz on October 2 and 3, with the Houthis (Ansar Allah) reportedly advancing on four fronts as government forces launched strikes.

The reported Houthi gains stretched from the southern Taiz countryside to Same' district, Jabal Habashi and the western outskirts of Taiz city, signaling a widening offensive across the province.

In southern Taiz, the Houthis reportedly took the heights of Jabal Rasan and Jabal Jardad, along with nearby villages including Rasan, Bani Mohammed, al-Za'azi and al-Kuwayrah. The reports also said the Houthis had captured Daba al-Dakhil and Jabal Ahem, while fighting continued around Asha and Samdan. Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces retained control of Mafraq al-Safiyah and the western Taiz-Aden road.

Read more HERE